The Peculiars

This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance.

On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar.

On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena’s father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

Review

Set in a steampunk 1800’s, Lena Mattacascar’s journey takes
readers from her quiet home in the City to the wild lands of Scree. Lena, with
her abnormal sized hands and feet, is on a mission to find her father,
determining whether she is, in fact, a Peculiar.

The mystery surrounding Peculiars starts from the very
beginning of the story. Ms. McQuerry gives readers insight into Lena’s
childhood that generates an understanding for why Lena is so shaken up about
her genetics. As the story progresses, more speculation about Peculiars comes
to the fore. It’s said by hateful citizens that Peculiars are soulless and
inherently evil. McQuerry draws readers in with the promise of finding out
exactly what a Peculiar is and whether or not Lena should be labeled as such.

The novel starts right off with Lena heading out on her
journey. Along the way she meets many quirky characters who liven up the story
and keep it from seeming too serious. McQuerry has a gift for creating
characters and character names that fit right in with the alternative era. For
instance, Lena meets an awkward Jimson Quiggley, inventive Tobias Beasley, and
the murmuring Scree-cat, Mrs. Mumbles.

Lena becomes a stronger heroine as her journey comes to a
close. McQuerry does a wonderful job of taking this City girl and putting her
through obstacles in which Lena prevails and makes something of her situation.
The mix of fantasy and steampunk, with a little dash of romance, makes The Peculiars a spectacular read!